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<P class="title"><A NAME="HELPArcSFX"></A>Self-extracting (SFX) archives<hr></P>


<P>An SFX<B> </B>(<B>S</B>el<B>F</B>-e<B>X</B>tracting) archive is
an archive, merged with an executable module, which is used to extract
files from the archive when executed. Thus no external program is necessary
to extract the contents of an SFX archive, it is enough to execute
it. Nevertheless WinRAR can work with SFX archives as with any other
archives, so if you do not want to run a received SFX archive (for
example, because of possible viruses), you may use WinRAR to view or
extract its contents.</P>

<P>SFX archives usually have .exe extension as any other executable
file.</P>

<P>SFX archives are convenient if you want to give an archive to somebody,
but do not know, if they have an appropriate archiver to extract files
from it. You may also use SFX archives to distribute your own software.
For example, WinRAR package is based on GUI RAR SFX module <I>Default.sfx</I>.</P>


<P>To create an SFX archive from the command line you may use the
<A HREF="HELPSwSFX.htm">-sfx</A> switch to make a new archive or <A
HREF="HELPCmdS.htm">S</A> command to convert an existing archive to
SFX. In WinRAR shell either select "Create SFX archive" option in <A
HREF="HELPGetArcName.htm">Archive name and parameters dialog</A>, when
creating a new archive or enter into an already existing archive and
press <A HREF="HELPCommandsSFX.htm">"SFX" button</A>.</P>

<P>WinRAR distributive includes several SFX modules. All SFX modules
have .sfx extension and must be in the same folder as WinRAR. By default
WinRAR always uses <I>Default.sfx</I> module, but you may specify the
name of another module directly in "-sfx" switch or "S" command. For
example, to convert <I>myarchive.rar</I> to SFX using <I>WinCon.SFX</I>
module run:</P>

<P>WinRAR SWinCon.SFX myarchive.rar</P>

<P>In the WinRAR shell you can select the desired SFX module from
the list displayed when executing <A HREF="HELPCommandsSFX.htm">Convert
archive to SFX</A> command.</P>

<P>Here you can read about the following SFX modules:</P>

<ul>
  <li><A HREF="HELPGUISFX.htm"><B>GUI RAR and ZIP SFX modules (Default.SFX
    and Zip.SFX)</B></A></li>
  <li><A HREF="HELPConsoleSFX.htm"><B>Console RAR SFX module (WinCon.SFX)</B>
  </A></li>
</ul>
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